It’s hard to beat cake and buns for post-ride energy boosts, but when you’re riding it’s difficult to match the sheer convenience of energy gels. If you’re riding for a couple of hours, you’re going to need to replenish expended energy. The body stores about 2,000 calories and you’ll burn through that in a couple of hours of decent pace riding. If you plan to ride for longer, then you need to think about topping your energy levels up. 

The body can absorb between 60g to 80g of carbohydrate per hour – these Fuel Cell’s contain just 20g of carbs, which isn’t a lot, so is best combined with an energy drink to get the necessary energy to keep riding. The sachets are small, and the gel has a watery consistency compared to other gels. This makes them very easy to digest, because it’s more like a drink than a gel really. They’re very sweet and best washed down with a glug of water. If you find thick, sticky gels hard to stomach, the Nectar Sports Fuel Cell is a good choice.

A range of four flavours are available, I tested Orange and Summer Fruits and both tasted just fine. They’re made with a fuel carb mix, this means they combine glucose and fructose, which the body can absorb quickly. Keep topping up with these gels on a long ride and you’ll notice you don’t flag as soon as you would if you were to only drink water. That means you can keep attacking the trails and hills with the same verve as at the beginning of the ride.

Which just leaves the price. Nectar Sports Fuel Cell’s are sold in boxes of 24 costing £36, which works out at £1.50 per sachet. They’re currently selling them online for £24 which works out at £1, making them easier to stomach, as it were. As a comparison, a Torq gel offers 29g of carb per sachet and is around £1.35.

Verdict

I like the consistency and the taste, but they’re a tad expensive and lacking on the carb content compared to other gels.

More information: Nectar
Price: Currently £24 for box of 24

What Nectar says:

Nectar Sports Fuel Cell is a unique Dual Carb source energy gel that delivers over 20g of fast absorbing carbohydrate in each 40ml sachet. This is the first compact LiquiGel that’s both easy to carry and to drink. Previously when selecting your energy gel, you’ve had to choose between: (1.) Easy to drink but big & bulky; (2.) Small & compact but sticky and hard to consume. Right now Nectar Sports Fuel Cell combines the best of both worlds, compact and easy to drink.

The 2:1 Dual Carb source (Glucose:Fructose) has been scientifically designed to help promote endurance levels during prolong exercise, delivering up to 40% more energy to the working muscle cell. It also provides a B Vitamin energy complex to support energy production, helping delay the onset of fatigue, and sustain energy supply for longer.

Designed to be consumed before and/or during endurance based activity, Nectar Sports Fuel Cell will help to push your performance boundaries, without causing any gastrointestinal discomfort (full or bloated) which is commonly seen with other products on the market.

Available in 4 flavours: Blackcurrant, Lemon Lime, Orange and Summer Fruits. Suitable for vegetarians.